The 1977 track originally released at the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, is being re-released and music fans are trying to kickstart an online campaign to push the song to the top of the charts to coincide with this year’s national celebrations.

But Lydon - who has relaunched his band Public Image Ltd – has insisted he wants “no part in the circus”.

Lydon said: “I would like to very strongly distance myself from the recent stories and campaign to push God Save the Queen for the number one spot over the jubilee weekend. It is certainly not my personal plan or aim.

“I am proud of what the Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what the Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign.

“I am pleased that the Sex Pistols recordings are being put out there for a new generation, however I wish for no part in the circus that is being built up around it.”

In recent years Lydon has put together a new line up of PiL - the group he formed after quitting the Pistols in 1978 - and the band are to release their first album of fresh material for 20 years.

The album, This Is PiL, will come out on the same day – May 28 - as God Save the Queen.

Up at The O2 has teamed up with London24 to give one lucky reader the chance to experience urban mountaineering this summer with an exhilarating 90-minute climb across the roof of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.